Mint Idli

Mint Idli (Mint flavored steamed Lentil Dumplings)

Mint Idli

Ingredients:

1. 1 cup urad dal (peeled black gram)
2. 2 cups rice (If possible do not use Basmati)
3. 1 teaspoon salt
4. 2 cup mint leaves
5. 1/2 teaspoon oil, cumin
6. 1 green chilly
7. 1 inch ginger (optional)

Soak the Urad dal and rice in separate containers for atleast 6 hours (The morning before your intended day of eating Idlis works best). In the evening grind the rice and dal (separately....else the rice won't get ground) into a smooth and thick paste with as little water as possible. Add salt and mix the batter well and set on the counter overnight
Mom's tip: Add 1/4 cup of cooked rice while grinding. This enhances the fermentation process and Idlis turn out fluffier

In a pan heat the oil and fry the cumin till they splutter. Add the green chilly and ginger and the mint leaves and fry covered  for 5-7 minutes. Let it cool and grind it to a smooth paste. Add it to the batter


In the morning of your special idli day, take the idli patra (this is a special dish to make idlis) if you don't have it, get some banana leaves add some batter to it and close them and steam them. I am assuming you have an idli patra. Greece the individual idli things and drop some batter in it and steam cook idlis for 20 minutes. After the steam escapes from the cooker. Open and let the patras cool a bit. With a big spoon scoop up the idlis and serve warm with ghee on top, and chutneys or plain if you are serving them to kids.